Recent Observations (Pelee) and Events (Sombra Ferry)

With the very hot and dry weather, little has been happening at my end.  Or, at least one has no ambition!

Today I wanted to go to Point Pelee.  We can now get in the park at 7 a.m., so one can beat the heat and tourists!  I walked to the Tip and watched for over an hour.  I had the place to myself, so that was nice.  A few gulls were around, including the Lesser Black-backed that has been around for some time.

There were no Bonaparte's Gulls for some time, but all of a sudden, a bunch came in.  Possibly they were scared off Seacliffe Beach by tourists.

Several Black and Common Terns were loafing about.

Pelicans have thinned out, but at one point I am sure I had one in the distance.

I walked up west beach trail, then cut over to Sparrow Field in hopes of seeing the resident Yellow-breasted Chat.  It was still there and made a lot of noise in the underbrush for the longest time.  It popped up briefly, so I got a quick look, then it disappeared again.  So much for a photo!  Included here is a photo from last year (2019) at northwest beach in the park.

It was a FOY, as there were only a couple of at Rondeau this spring I never caught up with.  The one at McGeachy Pond never co-operated for me despite my efforts!

I continued up west beach trail, but there was little to see.  I am sure the hot and dry conditions kept leps and odes at bay.  I saw only a few common species.

Common Whitetail (f)

Black Saddlebags

Blue Dasher (f)

I checked Cactus Field trail as well before leaving.

Out of the park, I passed by Mersea Road 21 fields.  Seven Short-billed Dowitcher were in the wet area.

I headed east and ended up at Blenheim lagoons.  We are indeed well into fall migration, and lots of shorebirds are showing up.  There were over 30 Lesser Yellowlegs at Blenheim, among other species.

Halloween Pennant

The summering Ring-necked Duck and Canvasback were still around.

Blenheim bonie

Now I must inject an historical note here!
It was the end of an era at Sombra this week, as the ferries were sold.  The Daldean left about 05:15 Tuesday morning, much too early for me to get up!
Some photos were taken just downriver by M.B., and I thank him very much for these.

My cousin Rusty was at the helm to take the Daldean to its new home at Bob-Lo Island.

This ferry means much to me as it was built new at Erieau in 1950-51 on order from my grandfather, Morgan Dalgety, and his business partner at the time.
There was much fanfare on its maiden voyage and arrival at Sombra July 1, 1951.  There was a big celebration for the 'big new ferry' after its arrival.

The photo below was taken at Port Lambton July 1, 1951 by my uncle Bill Abraham passing near the old Ohio Cottage Hotel. The Mann summer cottage was nearby.

Three long and two short!

North Lambton Stuff to South Beach Stuff

Friday I decided to head up to north Lambton to look around.  It is the season to look for insects more than birds.  However, there was a brisk and cool north wind which did not help in that regard.
In any case, I started at Rock Glen Conservation Area early and had the place to myself.
I was interested in looking along the river at the outlet of the falls ravine where one could find some odonates.  It was really too early in the morning, but as things warmed up, I spotted a couple of American Rubyspots.

There were a few birds, but nothing of note.  Earlier in the week, some Louisiana Waterthrushes were noted there.  There is somewhat decent habitat in the area, but at the "Glen", there are too many people that would disturb their activities.  It is a popular spot for tourists and when I went back in the afternoon, it was packed!  The birds likely vacated the area after having the place to themselves earlier when the place was closed.

Midland Clubtail

I walked the two main trails at Ipperwash Forested Dunes and Swales as well.  I thought it was once again rather quiet for birds just like last year.  There really should be more birds there!  Of note, was a singing male Canada Warbler which is probably on territory.  It was at the exact same spot I had one two (?) years ago.

One can find Pink Ladies Slipper here, among other things.

Tufted Loostrife

Usually Sandhill Cranes nest in the area, and stumbled upon a family with one colt.  However, I did not get a decent photo.

Along Cedar Trail, I saw this Northern Watersnake slithering through the wetland.

After this "long" walk, I slipped over to the "MNR" parking lot to take a quick look around.  I noted perhaps eight Dusted Skippers.  These bandits are now declining for the year and will soon be gone.

I came across this Spiderwort plant which I thought was neat.  Not often I see these.  The flowers usually just bloom for one day.

With all the walking this day, I headed home to rest!

Today, Sunday, I had no idea what to do.  I just pointed the car towards Rondeau and ended up there.  I did not even know where I wanted to walk there, but started at south point and walked along the edge of the woods.

A pair of Northern Mockingbirds has been in the area.  I saw them today, and it was interesting to watch the one bird going back and forth.  It was also entertaining to listen to the mimicry.

I met up with "M.B." and he was heading out to south beach.  I was game for that so on we went.  It is always an intersting walk and one never knows what to encounter.  Part way out, Steve came along, so  we had more eyes to look at things.

There are usually lots of gulls out there, and today was no exception.

We spotted a couple of young Little Gulls among about 350 Bonaparte's and others.

It is a good time of year for Black-headed Gull, but one never materialized. I have seen two at Point Pelee around this time.

Some Common Terns were out there, including this youger one.

A bleached out Herring Gull (assuming pure Herring) stood out.

Heading back, we spotted another Little Gull which was more advanced in plumage sporting almost a full hood.  However, I did not get a decent photo.

Four Sandhill Cranes were spotted.

After getting back to the car, I headed home, as this is all I wanted to do today!

Gull Mania at Rondeau

I went back to Rondeau this morning.  There was a stiff east wind which may have attributed to fewer passerines to some degree along south point trail.  Jim Burk and I added a couple of Pine Warblers, different from yesterday and another Blue-gray Gnatcatcher.

Unco-operative gnatcatcher!

Along the south shoreline, it was evident that there was a large number of gulls, especially Bonaparte's moving west.
Since we did not spend much time on the trail, it was time to check out Dog Beach just up the road. This is an excellent vantage point especially on an east wind. Conditions must have been right today, as sometimes an east wind produces little.

We arrived at the beach and set up scopes.  The number of gulls was simply incredible!  Insane would be a better word.  Hundreds of Bonaparte's Gulls were constantly going by, and they just kept coming.  I can safely say it was the largest number of Bonaparte's I have ever seen.

Soon, I spotted an immature Little Gull, then another.  For the 2+ hours we stood there, we ended up with a total of 11 Little Gulls.  All were adults except the first two.  It would be safe to say we missed several others!  Lots of gulls were far out as well.
Early on, I remarked that it was a good day for a Black-legged Kittiwake, among other things.  Sure enough I spotted one!  It went by quite quickly like all the others.

Very young Little Gull?

It was the first one I have seen in the park boundary, as the others (3) within the circle were at Erieau in past years.

There were only a few Common Terns today, plus one Forster's.

Along the shoreline, a couple of Dunlin kept a group of Sanderlings company.

One Sanderling sported a single leg!

A few Surf and White-winged Scoters went by during the course of the morning as well as several Common Loons and Horned Grebes.

It was surprising that no jaegers showed up, but then again they seem to avoid Rondeau like the plague for the most part.

One can only speculate what other goodies we missed out there in the 20,000+ gulls.

After Jim left, I walked a bit of marsh trail. I added this Common Yellowthroat for the day.

I stopped by Blenheim Lagoons on the way home and basically the same shorebirds were there, just fewer numbers of some.  Rayfield and Don Pye were there looking for the Long-billed Dowitcher. We could not find it and as we were just about to leave, it suddenly appeared!

Tomorrow is another day...Happy Thanksgiving to all!

'Summer' Sightings Point Pelee

A visit to Point Pelee was on the agenda today as summer begins.  It was about a year ago the Black-headed Gull was at the Tip, but alas, I did not find one today!  However, there was a fair number of gulls at the Tip when I arrived.  Luckily I was the first one there even though it was after 8:00 when I arrived. (I had to wait until a tree was cleared from the road north of White Pine!).

The Tip was carpeted with gulls upon arrival, but I could not get a look at all without flushing them.  Four usual species present.  This bleached (?) out Herring Gull stood out for a while.

A number of Bonaparte's present, but this one (almost) adult sort-of kept to itself this morning.  Not common at this time of year, but is likely summering in the area.

Regarding insects, a good number of Red Admirals were flying....or at least resting, like this one at the Tip.

I walked back the west beach trail just after the sun finally came out.  Little of note though.  A female Red-breasted Merganser was on the beach with some Great Blue Herons.  Actually up to eight Great Blues along the west side loafing around today.

I walked Woodland Trail as well, but the Prothontary was a no-show!
After a brief check around De Laurier, I headed to the south end of Northwest Beach.  A number of dragonflies (mostly Blue Dashers) were flying as well as a couple of Eastern Amberwings.  Here is a female.

Eastern Amberwing

Had a 'red' dragonfly at De Laurier (the one that got away!) that was perhaps a Carolina Saddlebags.

After having lunch with Dean Ware at the "Red Bus", I headed over to Hillman Marsh.  Although the shorebird cell is now dry, I walked around that area checking for butterflies.  Bronze Copper was on my mind, and sure enough I saw few of them.

Great Egrets (total of 21) were having some kind of get-together at the easterly end of the shorebird cell.  Managed to get some photos.

Common Whitetail

Blue Dasher

Last stop was at the Dickcissel location east of Wheatley.  Here I met up with Dave Martin and Linda Wladarski who were checking out the birds.  I thought maybe five males were singing in the field.

Appears to be the only place around for Dickcissels this summer.